Sunday, January 23, 2011

Counting Snows

That sure didn't take long now, did it? Wasn't it just two days ago that we were talking about cleaning out our closets, painting something cheery yellow and finding our word for the year?

It's been a bit of a blur, and I'm still caught up mid-spin between yearning for change and embracing the good ol', good ol'.

"I need a phone call... I need a raincoat... I need a big love...I need a sunburn...I need a plane ride..."

I have decided - resolutely - that Adam and Friends wrote this song in January. Any other option just isn't a possibility, in my mind.

"I get no answers.And I don't get no change.It's snowing in Indiana, baby.And everything else is the same."

You got that right.

So yes, I'm ready for color. I'm ready to throw caution to the wind and eat steel cut oats. I'm ready to settle in to a cute little bungalow and decide for sure that we will be the pink flower poking out from the gray.

For now, I'm switching gears with some big deals, and I'm doing a few things Scared.

I'm sipping tea, clanking the spoon against the side, and it sounds to me like a bell.It sounds like gratitude stirring.

I'm thankful for tomatoes, avocados and cottage cheese. I know, not what you had in mind, but I'm pregnant. What can I say. And a vegetarian. What's a girl to do. Ask me tomorrow and you'll get a deeply different answer. Cheers!

I am thankful for a photo of The Farmer that I recently found...circa 2001...when we lived in Wyoming, before kids, before jobs, before life. His smile is carefree and naive, and it takes me back to a peaceful place. I framed it and have it on my desk.

Today I find myself so incredibly thankful for the scripture - "Let not your heart be troubled' and my decision to say amen to that. And cause I cain't follow no rules, I'm thankful for you too - and that makes TWO. OK, Calvin too...so that's three...well, shoot - you see where this is going....

I am thankful for the belly giggles that wake me every morning along with the tiny smile that goes along with it. For unfailing wonder and the I love yous that each of my amazing children shower upon me every day.. even when I fail to deserve such a gift.I am also thankful for the unexpected gifts that I continue to find in the most unusual of places. Thank you Shannan. That is all I can say. ..heartfelt and full of meaning Thank you!That is what I am thankful for this evening.

I too, am thankful for your posts. I know I've said it so many times before, but I am always encouraged or inspired to try something new after reading your posts! I am also thankful for three adorable little girls who call me "mommy" and a great husband who calls me "his". I am thankful for the family mentioned above who love me unconditionally, especially when I have those not so beautiful moments of life! I'm thankful for a Father who loves me even more!

Today's blessings------a church I can call home---being able to share my (His) music with others---winter tea (fundraiser) and the ladies who made it happen---gluten-free brownie mix from Betty Crocker---children (ages 4 & 8) who still want to sit on my lap at any given point in the day---Netflix on demand & Battlestar Galactica---already knowing that there is a 2-hour delay for school tomorrow due to cold, so I don't have to drag my daughter out of her warm bed at 7:00 a.m.---sharing the sacred everyday with friends through blogs

Thanks for having us count! There are always more blessings than we realize. :)

I am thankful that God puts people in our lives whether in real life or in blogland(like you although if I knew you IRL I'm sure we'd be fast friends) that continually give me inspiration to be a better Christian, Mother, Wife and friend........if you ever need a January retreat from the snow, Florida is the place to be......your always welcome here :o)

"less" is my one little word for 2011...and so far it's resulting in more! i'm thankful for my new church family that i officially joined today after a year of "trying it out." and i'm thankful for bumping into your blog - i think i'm going to like stopping by!

Again you remind us of the beauty and wonder of ordinary, normal, and the simple things in life. That is what I'm thankful for. My simple things in life. The things we didn't buy, attain or inherit. My peeps. All sleeping right now.

I'm a huge fan of Counting Crows, which is probably no surprise to you. A few years ago, I bought my honey-pie tickets to see them in Chicago. We rented a red convertible mustang and drove outside the city to see our beloved Adam and friends. We got sorta lost and got there a little late but I knew *somebody* was opening for them and I figured that casually late is okay and maybe we'd miss the opening hoopla. WHen we got there, much to my chagrin and complete surprise, I wondered why I heard CC already from the car and then when I ran in at breakneck speed so as not to miss anymore of the show, I wondered WHY ARE WE THE OLDEST ONES HERE?

Counting Crows was opening for John Mayer. John who, I said to myself?

Long story short, I suppose we're old and not cool anymore.But Adam, his songwriting, his voice----forever cool in my book and forever imprinted on my heart.

The whole way back to the hotel, we lamented how 'young people these days' just don't get music.

Oh what a good idea...I think this is just what I need to do to get out of my winter doldrums. A warm house, a good book, my Grandma's quilt, and The Sound of Music soundtrack playing over and over again on my Ipod.

While I precariously tight-rope walk the borderline cheesy comment here, I am thankful for "blog friends". You know, the blog friends that don't even know I'm their friend, haha, but I love reading their blogs. And I don't mean the blogs where everyone paints their world to be in the rosiest shade of pink ever, but the ones where their world might be rainbow sparkles one day and a deep gray the next. The blogs that are not only encouraging to me, but also that walk through reality to me and let me know I'm not alone when life doesn't necessarily go according to plan and that's okay, too. Blogs like yours, my friend...;)

I am thankful for a trip to the midwest to visit dear friends (where the company of good friends always makes for a sunny day)...and the husband for taking such great care of our darlings while I get away. Excited to explore the wonder and possibilities of the week as I sit with my dear sisters and share in the graces of our God!

I am thankful for a husband who left for work this morning, only to turn around and come pick up our three school-age children and take them to school so that I am the two littlest didn't have to go out in the cold. I think I fell in love all over again!

So thankful for this post. It has me looking around for something to be thankful for and that's a really good thing. I'd have to say right now that it's the little tingle on my lips from my Buxom brandi lipgloss. I love the tingle:) Have a great day my friend. I'm excited for you. It's so good to be pushed and scared sometimes!

I am thankful that my house is quiet (momentarily) and I can gather my thoughts. I am thankful that God speaks to me in whispers but also in grand motions to really get my attention. I am thankful that my sweet friend Shannan introduced me to Friday Night Lights, but not thankful for what Landry did in last night's episode (gasp!)